Researchers in China studied whether vitamins A and E affect asthma in children. They compared 2,454 children with asthma to healthy children and found that kids with asthma had lower levels of both vitamins. Children with very low vitamin A were 2-3 times more likely to have asthma than those with normal levels. Low vitamin E was also linked to asthma, especially in very young children and girls. This suggests that getting enough of these vitamins might help protect children from developing asthma, though more research is needed to confirm this connection.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children with low levels of vitamins A and E in their blood are more likely to have asthma
  • Who participated: 2,454 children aged 1-14 years from four hospitals in Hunan Province, China. About 70% were boys and 30% were girls. Half had asthma and half were healthy. The average age was about 3.5 years old.
  • Key finding: Children with asthma had significantly lower vitamin A and E levels than healthy children. Kids with very low vitamin A were nearly 3 times more likely to have asthma compared to kids with normal vitamin A levels.
  • What it means for you: Getting enough vitamins A and E may help reduce asthma risk in children, though this study shows a connection rather than proving vitamins prevent asthma. Parents should ensure their children eat vitamin-rich foods, but this doesn’t replace medical treatment for asthma.

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups of children: those with asthma and those without asthma. They collected blood samples from children visiting four hospitals in Hunan Province between July 2017 and October 2019. To make the comparison fair, they matched children in both groups by age and gender so the groups were as similar as possible except for whether they had asthma.

The researchers measured vitamin A and E levels in the blood of all children and then used statistical methods to see if lower vitamin levels were connected to asthma. They also looked at whether the connection was different for boys versus girls and for different age groups.

Case-control studies are useful for finding connections between health factors and diseases. By comparing children with asthma to similar healthy children, researchers can identify whether certain vitamin levels might be related to asthma risk. This type of study is efficient and can suggest areas for future research.

The study included a large number of children (2,454) from multiple hospitals, which makes the results more reliable. The researchers carefully matched children in both groups by age and gender to ensure fair comparison. However, this study shows an association (a connection) rather than proof that low vitamins cause asthma. The study was conducted in one region of China, so results may not apply equally to all populations worldwide.

What the Results Show

Children with asthma had noticeably lower vitamin A levels (0.32 mg/L) compared to healthy children (0.34 mg/L). While this difference seems small, it was statistically significant. More importantly, children with very low vitamin A levels (subclinical or clinical deficiency) were 2.68 times more likely to have asthma than children with normal vitamin A levels. Even children with moderately low vitamin A (high-risk subclinical deficiency) were 1.53 times more likely to have asthma.

Vitamin E levels were also lower in children with asthma (9.19 mg/L) compared to healthy children (9.77 mg/L). Children with insufficient vitamin E were 1.28 times more likely to have asthma than those with normal levels.

When researchers looked at different age groups and genders separately, they found that low vitamin A was connected to increased asthma risk in all age groups and for both boys and girls. However, low vitamin E was mainly connected to asthma in very young children (ages 1-3) and in girls.

The study showed that the connection between vitamin A deficiency and asthma was consistent across all subgroups examined. This consistency suggests the relationship is fairly robust. The finding that vitamin E deficiency was more strongly connected to asthma in younger children and girls suggests that certain groups may be more vulnerable to the effects of low vitamin E.

Previous research has suggested that vitamins A and E are important for immune function and protecting the lungs. This study adds to that evidence by showing that children with asthma tend to have lower levels of these vitamins. The findings align with earlier research suggesting that antioxidant vitamins (like A and E) may play a protective role in respiratory health.

This study shows a connection between low vitamins and asthma but cannot prove that low vitamins cause asthma. It’s possible that children with asthma have lower vitamins for other reasons, or that other factors cause both low vitamins and asthma. The study was done in one region of China, so the results may not apply to all children worldwide. The study also didn’t measure other important factors like diet, air quality, or family history of asthma that could affect the results. Additionally, vitamin levels were measured only once, so we don’t know if they changed over time.

The Bottom Line

Ensure children eat foods rich in vitamin A (like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and liver) and vitamin E (like nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils). If a child has asthma, discuss vitamin levels with their doctor. While this research suggests low vitamins may be connected to asthma risk, it should not replace standard asthma treatment and management. Confidence level: Moderate - this study shows an association, but more research is needed to confirm whether vitamin supplementation actually prevents asthma.

Parents of young children, especially those with asthma or family history of asthma, should be aware of the importance of adequate vitamin A and E intake. Healthcare providers caring for children with asthma may want to consider checking vitamin levels. This is particularly relevant for children in regions where malnutrition is common. People should not assume that taking vitamin supplements alone will prevent or treat asthma without medical guidance.

If vitamin deficiency is contributing to asthma risk, it likely develops over months to years of inadequate intake. Improvements in vitamin status through diet would also take weeks to months to see potential effects. This is not a quick fix but rather a long-term nutritional approach to support overall respiratory health.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of vitamin A and E-rich foods (servings of carrots, spinach, nuts, seeds, oils) and monitor asthma symptoms (frequency of wheezing, coughing, or rescue inhaler use) weekly to see if dietary improvements correlate with symptom changes over 8-12 weeks.
  • Add one vitamin A-rich food (like carrots or sweet potato) and one vitamin E-rich food (like almonds or sunflower seeds) to daily meals. Log these additions in the app and track any changes in asthma symptoms over time.
  • Create a monthly dashboard showing vitamin A and E food intake patterns and asthma symptom frequency. Set reminders for regular vitamin-rich meals and schedule quarterly check-ins with healthcare providers to discuss vitamin levels and asthma control.

This research shows an association between low vitamin A and E levels and increased asthma risk in children, but does not prove that vitamins cause or prevent asthma. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Parents should not start vitamin supplements or change their child’s asthma treatment based on this study alone. Always consult with a pediatrician or healthcare provider before making changes to a child’s diet or treatment plan, especially for children with asthma. This study was conducted in China and may not apply equally to all populations.